Henry barcroft



(No Model.) 4

. H. BAROROFT. APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING BOATS. v

Patented Nov 18, 1890.

I' A 29 d 1w. NORRIS versus co FNOTO-LIYNO., v

' NITED STATES HENRY BARCROFT, OF NEINRY, IRELAND.

APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING -AND STEERING BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,049, dated November 18, 1890.

Application filed March 22 1890- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BARCROFT, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at The Glen, Newry, county of Armagh, Ireland, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Boats and other Navigable Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object the propulsion of a boat, more particularly a canal-boat, in such a way as not to interfere appreciably with the carrying capacity of the boat, and to do this with a less percentage of loss between the power exerted and that actually expended in moving the boat than has heretofore been attained. In addition to this general object, I so construct the apparatus that besides propelling the boat it will also effect the steering thereof, thus dispensing with the use of an ordinary rudder. The propeller-shaft is in all cases arranged on deck or above the water-line, so as to avoid the loss of power inseparable from water-tight bearings, and also the loss which attends the motion of the ordinary submerged boss through the water.

According to my said invention I make use of that system of propulsion in which two sets of propeller-blades mounted on two independent shafts are rotated in contrary directions, the angles of the one set being the reverse of that of the other, so that each set counteracts the tendency of the other set to make the boat deviate from a straight course. I mount the said two shafts with their propeller-blades upon a turn-table or swiveling frame or platform on or beneath the deck, and which is actuated either directly by ordinary tiller-bars or by other steering-gear, so as to bring the shafts and propellers into more or less angular positions relatively to the lon gitudinal axis of the boat, so that by the oblique thrust exercised by the propellers they at the same time effect the steering of the boat. This platform is also in some cases arranged to carry the motor, whether this be a steam or other engine or treadles worked by the feet.

The accompanying drawings show propelling apparatus constructed according to my said invention adapted for light craft.

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation partly in section, and Fig. 2 a plan.

Serial No. 344,934. (N0 model.)

The propellers A and Bare mounted, respectively, on the tubular shafts A B, which are carried on a swiveling-platform a, mounted on a pivot c, fixed on the deck of the boat, so that for steering the two sets of propellers can be brought into any desired angular position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, by turning the platform on its pivot. This turning may be effected either simply by a hand-tiller 01, so that the apparatus is worked in the same Way as an ordinary rudder, or it may be effected by toothed gearing or tillerchains in any known manner.

The driving machinery for the propellershafts may either be mounted entirely upon the platform, as indicated, the crankshaft e, which may be Worked either by treadles or by a small engine, being made to rotate a wheel f by a pinion g, and this motion being imparted in reversed directions to the two shafts by the bevel-gearing h h h, or the motorengine can be situated amidships and the wheel f be driven from it by shafting and suitable gearing, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this case the platform 0 can of course be reduced in size.

The propeller-shafts A B are in this case made of sufficient strength to overhang the stern of the boat without requiring to be supported at its outer end by a framing; but for larger craft the turn-table may be made to overhang sufficiently to support the outer ends of the shafts. The propeller-arms are by preference made telescopic, as described in my application, relating to similar propelling apparatus, bearing even date herewith, Serial No. 344,933.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and the best means I know for carrying the same into practical effect, I claim-- 1. In apparatus for propelling boats, the combination, with two sets of propeller-blades mounted on independent shafts adapted to revolve in opposite directions, the blades being fixed in opposite angular positions, of a revoluble turn-table or platform carried by the boat above the water-line, upon which platform are mounted the shafts of the two sets of blades, so that by turning the platform by means of a tiller or other device the shafts and propeller=blades can be brought into angular posit-ions relatively to the longitudinal axis of the boat for the purpose of simultaneously propelling and steering the same, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for propelling boats, the combination of two sets of propeller-blades mounted on independent shafts adapted to revolve in opposite directions, with a revoluble platform carried by the boat above the water-line, upon which platform are mounted the shafts with the two sets of propellerblades and also the motor for imparting motion thereto, said platform being turned on its axis by a tiller or other device, so as to bring the shafts and propeller-blades into different angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the boat for the purpose of simultaneously propelling and steering the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 20 name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 3d (lay of March, A. D. 1890.

HENRY BARCROFT. 

